Four-line printing mechanism



June 7,- 1955 H. s. BEATTIE 2,709,959

FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 19, 195d 10 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTg. HORACE S. BEATTIE BY ATTORNEY June 7, 1955 H. s. BEATTIEFOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 19, 1950INVEA'TOR;

HORACE S. BEATTIE v MM: J? 19W? ATTORNEY.

wm Wk mm WV June 1955 H. s. BEATTIE FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM 0Sheds-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 19, 1950 INVENTOR.

HORACE S. BEATTIE RM J MW ATTORNEY.

June 1955 H. s. BEATTIE FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM 1O Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Aug. 19, 1950 INVENTOR. HORACE Sf BEATTIE ATTORNEY.

June 7, 1955 H. s. BEATTiE 2,709,959

FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 19, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR.

HORACE S BEATTIE /FM 9 MW ATTORNEY.

June 7, 1955 H-. s. BEATTIE FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM 1O Sheets-Sheet6 Filed Aug. 19. 1950 m m m m HORACE S. BEATTI E ATTORNEY.

H. s'. BEATTIE FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM June 7, 1955 10 Sheeis-Sheet7 Filed Aug. 19, 1950 m w m m HORACE s. BEATTIE /YrZ-qx .2 M

ATTORNEY.

H. s. BEATTIE 2,709,959

FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM i0 Sheets-SheefB June 7, 1955 Filed Aug.19, 1950 Itim 2.52m 21$ It! 222 ICZM Z22 ATTORNEY.

KM .PiQW ZW June 7, 1955 H. s. BEATTIE FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM 10Sheeis-Sheet 9 Filed Aug. 19, 1950 FIG.|5 Wife? j i 1;: if

I L L INVENTOR.

HORACE S. BEATTIE 4 M J. W

ATTORNEY.

'June 7, 1955 H. s. BEATTIE 2,709,959

FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 19, 950 0 Sheets-Sheet 10 I L LTE! 482 H34 1 'fl I lL-JI 504a INVENTOR.

HORACE S. BEATTIE ATTORNEY.

Rwy 0 1 United States Patent 0 FOUR-LINE PRINTING MECHANISM florace S.Beattie, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., assignor to International BusinessMachines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkApplication August 19, 1950, Serial No. 180,479

25 Claims. (Cl. 101-93) This invention relates to printing apparatus andparticularly to high-speed multiple-operation printing apparatuscontrolled by character designations in a record.

The invention may be briefly described as a novel high-speed printingdevice controlled by character designations in a record for effectingmultiple printing operations, i. e. multi-line column-by-columnprinting, or multi-column, line-by-line printing. The printing deviceincludes a plurality of lineally and rotatably displaceable type slidesassociated with a control mechanism responsive to sensed characterdesignations in a record for selectively and positively displacing thetype slides in accordance with the sensed character designations. Thecontrol mechanism includes means for selectively positioning the typeslides intermediate successive sensing operations so that the typeslides move directly from one character to the next without returning totheir normally biased position. Also included in the invention are aplurality of printing hammers associated with the type slides foreffecting individual impression transfers of the type on the slides toan intermittently or continuously moving strip or web ofimpression-receiving material. The invention also embodies a recordsensing mechanism for sensing character designations in a record orstrip in successive order and during uninterrupted movement thereof withthe character selecting devices coordinated so that each succeedingdesignation is sensed while an impression is being taken in accordancewith the preceding selection.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a novel,high-speed printing apparatus for effecting multiple printingoperations.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel, high-speedprinting apparatus for effecting multiline column-by-column printing.

Another object of this invention is the provision of novel, high-speedprinting devices in which a plurality of characters are positioned in apredetermined array on type slides past which a strip or web ofimpression-taking material is intermittently or continuously moved.- To

select characters for printing, the type slides are lineally and/orrotatably displaced to present the desired characters at a printing orimpression-taking locality.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a control mechanismfor selectively positioning the type slides in accordance with thesensed character designations. I

Another object of this invention is the provision of a latchingmechanism included in the control mechanism for latching the displacedtype slides intermediate successive printing or impression-takingoperations so that they move directly from one character to the nextwithout returning to their initial or biased position.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improvedprinting or impression-taking assembly for printing or transferringimpressions on to a continuously moving web or strip ofimpression-receiving material.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an improved recordsensing mechanism for simultaneously sensing character designationseffecting each of the type slides in uninterrupted order with thecontrol mechanism coordinated so that each succeeding characterdesignation is sensed while an impression is being taken in accordancewith the preceding selection.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdisclosure and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichdisclose, by way of example the principle of the invention and thepresently preferred embodiment of the printing device applying thatprinciple.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan view of the presently preferred embodiment of theinvention; v

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the presently preferred embodimentof the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view, generally on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 isan enlarged plan view of a portion of the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are detailed views, partially in section, of a portionof the control mechanism including the latching mechanism.

Fig. 10 is an isometric, schematic view of the portion of the controlmechanism for lineally displacing a type slide;

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of a portion of the control mechanism forrotatably displacing a type slide;

Fig. 12 is an isometric view of the arrangement of multiple type slidesfor use in a gang printer embodying the principles of this invention;

Fig. 13 is a schematic view illustrating the details of the recordsensing mechanism;

Fig. 13a is a schematic representation of a switching mechanism adaptedfor use with the record card feeding mechanism;

Figs. 14 through 17 are side elevational views of a type slideillustrating an arrangement for the type characters on each of the sidesthereof;

Fig. 18 illustrates a bill of the type that might be printed on the gangprinter illustrated in Fig. 12;

Fig. 19 illustrates another type of bill that might be printed on thegang printer illustrated in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 20 is a schematic illustration of the sensing mechanism adapted foruse with the gang printer illustrated in Fig. 12.

The drawings enumerated above illustrate a multiline column-by-columnprinting device adapted to effect successive columnar presentations offour lines of print. However, it should be clearly understood that theprinciples of this invention apply generally to multi-line printingirrespective of the actual number of lines of printing to be effected.In addition, the principles of the invention are applicable to aprinting device for effecting successive linear presentation of multiplecolumns of print.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the apparatus is supported on the baseplates 10 and 11 to which are secured the vertical side plates 16 and 18tied together by a back plate 14 and a front plate 12. The front plate12 and the side plate 18 support a paper and transfer ribbon assembly.The printing platens in the preferred embodiment of the invention asillustrated in the drawings consist of four individual circular printinghammers 2t), 22, 24 and 26, positioned at and defining a printing orimpression transfer locality. As the embodiment of the invention setforth in the drawings illustrates a fourline printer, a printing hammeris provided for each line of print. The construction and operation ofthe printing hammer assembly will be described in detail at a laterpoint in this specification.

A paper strip and ink ribbon is fed from a suitable supply source (notshown) and advanced past the printing locality, as defined by theprinting hammers 20, 22, 24 and 26, by a feed roller 44 mounted on ashaft and spring pressed follower 46 and is guided in its path of travelby suitable guide rollers 32, 34, 36 and 38 mounted on extending guideroller supporting arms 40 and 42. Mounted on the shaft 58 below the feedroller 44 is a gear 52 which meshes and is driven by a pinion 54 mountedon an auxiliary shaft 56. The auxiliary shaft 56 also mounts a largebevel gear 53 which meshes with and is driven by beveled pinion 60mounted on a drive shaft 62 disposed externally of and parallel to theside wall 18. The shafts 50 and 56, together with the mem bers mountedthereon and the spring pressed follower 46 are supported by a U-shapedmounting bracket 68 extending outwardly from the side plate 18. The U-shaped mounting bracket 68 also supports the extending 3 steel pulltapes 104 and 124 in order to present a charguide roller supporting arm40 having the paper and ink ribbon guide rollers 32 and 38 mountedthereon.

The drive shaft 62 is driven through the bevel gears 70 and 72 by themain drive shaft 74 which is positioned between and is rotatablysupported by the side plates 16 and 18 and is provided with a drivinggear or pulley 76 on the portion thereof extending outwardly from theside plate 16. The main drive shaft 74 is adapted to be continuouslydriven, by means such as a motor (not shown) when the machine is inoperation. Through the chain of gearing traced above, it will be notedthat when the main drive shaft 74 is in motion, the paper strip and inkribbon 30 is continuously and uninterruptedly advanced past the printinglocality as defined by the positioning of the printing hammers 20, 22,24 and 26.

Referring to Figs. 1, 4 and 5, the printing elements utilized are fourfour-sided type slides, 82, 84, 86 and 88 positioned for multi-linecolumn-by-colurnn printing. The type slides have raised type characterspositioned on each of the sides thereof and the disposition of thecharacters on each of the sides of one of the type slides is illustratedin Figs. 14 through 17.

Selection of characters for printing is accomplished by lineally and/orrotatably displacing the individual type slides to advance thecharacters to be printed to the printing locality as defined by thelocation of the printing hammers 20, 22, 24 and 26.

In the interest of brevity, the mounting of the uppermost type slide 82will be explained in detail with the understanding that a similarmounting is provided for the remaining three type slides 84-, 86 and 88.

The type slide 82 is slidably mounted on a horizontally disposed shaft90 of square cross section which is rotatably supported at one end by anupright mounting plate 92 secured to the front plate 12, and rotatablysupported at its other end by a plate 94 secured to and extendingupwardly from the side plate 18. The type slide 82 is contained withinthe forked ends of the arms of a U- shaped positioning bracket 96slldably mounted on a shaft 97 supported by said plates 92 and 94. Theback of the U-shaped positioning bracket 96 supports a plate 99 having aplurality of positioning indentations 98 aligned with the typecharacters on the face of the type slide 82 for centering the characterspresented at the printing locality during printing operations. The typeslide 82 is normally biased in a lineal rest position by the biasingspring 106 secured to a frame member 162 and to said U-shapedpositioning bracket 96. The U- shaped positioning bracket 96 is lineallydisplaceable along the axis of the shaft 97 by the action of a steelpull tape 164 secured to a hook 106 at the end of said bracket. As thetype slide 82 is positioned between the arms of said U-shaped bracket96, the type slide is displaced along the shaft 90 in accordance withthe displacements of the bracket 96 on the shaft 97.

ill

The type slide 82 is independently rotatably displaceable by the actionof a horizontally displaceable pin 11? riding in a suitably shapedguiding channel 112 in a cylindrical sleeve 114 secured to the shaft 90and positioned between the mounting plate 94 and frame member 162. Thepin is mounted in and extends outwardly from a bar 116 slidably mountedon the shaft 97 and a pan allel shaft 120 positioned between the framemember 102 and the mounting plate 94. The bar 116 is biased in a restposition by a spring 122 secured to said bar and to the bracket 94 andis horizontally displaced through the action of the steel pull tape 124connected thereto. The horizontal displacement of the bar 116 by thepull tape 102 rotates the sleeve 114 through the cam action of the pin116 riding in the channel 112. Rotation of the sleeve 114 results inrotation of the shaft 91) and the type slide 82 mounted thereon. Theabove described construction permits the simultaneous lineal androtatable displacement of the type slide 82 through the action of theactor to be printed located on any of the faces of the type slide at theprinting locality as defined by the location of the printing hammer 29.

Referring now to Fig. 13, the power source utilized to continuallyrotate the main drive shaft 74- may also conveniently be synchronized toa drive system utilized to advance successive record cards, such as therecord card 132, past dual rows of sensing brushes 134 and 136 and theiradjacent respective contact rollers 138 and 14%.

The record card 132 is illustrated as being subdivided into four sensingareas designated 142, 144, 146 and 148, one sensing area being providedfor each of the type slides 82, 84, 86 and 88. Each of these sensingareas is provided with columns designated 159 in which perforations 152are combinationally made in six rows designated 154 to representparticular characters to be printed by each of the type slides. As thedevice illustrated in the drawings is for four-line column-by-columnprinting operations, the four sensing areas 142, 14-4, 146 and 148 inthe card 132 are each utilized to control a single line of print.

For the purposes of description, the arrangement of the combinationalperforations in sensing area 144 will be explained in detail, with theunderstanding that a similar arrangement is provided for the remainingsensing areas 142, 146, and 148. The rows 154 in the sensing area 144are divided into an upper set of two, designated generally as R,representing rotative displacement, with the individual rows in that setbeing designated as "2" and 1," and a lower set of four, designatedgenerally as L, representing lineal displacement, with the individualrows therein being designated as 4, 4, 2 and l. The following table 1lists the characters that may be represented, i. e. those presented onthe type slide illusdisplacement of nine units, the combined rotativedisplacement and lineal displacement resulting in the presentation ofthe type character number 9 at the printing locality.

Table l E X A X Table I--Ccntinued NNMNNNNNNMNM NNNNNbtMMNNNN Thus, asthe successive columns 158 of the record card 4 132 pass the rows ofbrushes 134 and 136, with the record card 132 positioned as illustratedin the drawing, the magnets 160 will be repeatedly energized incombinations corresponding to the perforational arrangements in each ofthe columns 150 in each of the sensing areas 142, a,

144, 146 and 148.

The sensing circuit extends from one side of the power line 162 throughcam controlled synchronizing contacts 164 (operated by cams convenientlymounted on the main drive shaft 74 to synchronize the sensing activitywith the rotation of the drive shaft), the relay contact points 166 and168, the contact rolls 138 and 140, the perforations in the record card132, the brushes 134 and 136, the magnets 160 in accordance with theperforational arrangement of the perforations 152, the printing hammercontrol magnet 170 and back to the other side of the power line 172.

As the record card 132 is provided with four separate sensing areas 142,144, 146 and 148, means are provided to prevent the sensing of theareas144 and 148 by the brushes 134 which are adapted to only sense the areas142 and 146 and to prevent the sensing of areas 142 and 146 by thebrushes 136 which are adapted to only sense the areas 144 and 148.Referring to Fig. 13a, a simple switching mechanism is there illustratedfor energizing the sensing circuits only when the sensing areas 142 and146 are being sensed by the brushes 134, and the sensing areas 144 and148 are being sensed by the brushes 136. There is provided a switch 178normally biased in a closed position by a spring 180 and positionedadjacent the contact roll 138. Positioned adjacent the contact I011 is asecond switch 182 normally biased in a closed position by a spring 184.Included in series with the switch 178 is a relay energizing coil 186.Included in series with the switch 182 is a relay energizing coil 188.

When a record card 132 is positioned as illustrated in Fig. 13, i. e. atthe start of sensing operations, with the first column in the sensingareas 142 and 146 positioned beneath the brushes 134 and with the firstcolumn 150 in the sensing areas 144 and 148 positioned beneath thebrushes 136, the presence of the card 132 will maintain both switchesopen and the relay energizing coils 186 and 188 will be in ade-energized condition with the relay contact points 166 and 168responsive thereto, respectively, closed and completing the sensingcircuits. When the trailing edge 190 of the record card 132 advancesthrough the switch 182, the spring 184 will close the switch and thecompletion of the circuit energizes the coil 188, resulting in theopening of the relay contact points 168. The opening of the contactpoints 168 opens the sensing circuits as described above. Furtheradvance of the trailing edge 190 past the switch 178 results in theopening of the contact points 166. The switch 182 will remain closeduntil the leading edge of the next card to be sensed opens the switch182 and opens the energizing circuit for the coil 188. The de-energizingof the coil 188 resulting from the opening of the switch 182 results ina closure of the relay contact points 168. In a similar manner thisleading edge, after opening the switch 182, will next open the switch178, which through the deenergization of the coil 186 closes the relaypoints 166. The sensing circuit is again completed and sensingoperations may then take place on this next successive record card.

The above described switching arrangement thus prevents the sensing ofthe areas 144 and 148 by the brushes 134 and the sensing of the areas142 and 146 by the brushes 136, and therefore limits the sensingactivities of the brushes 134 to the sensing of the areas 142 and 146and the sensing activities of the brushes 136 to the sensing of theareas 144 and 148.

The mechanism for successively advancing the record card 132 is notshown in the drawings as such card advancing mechanisms are well-knownin the art. However, the record card 132 should be advanced past thebrushes 134 and 136 at a rate so that a column 150 on said card passesthe line of brushes 134 and 136 for each half revolution of the maindrive shaft 74. This relationship may be conveniently obtained byintroducing suitable gearing between the main drive shaft 74 and thecard advancing mechanism. The contacts 164 are adjusted to make andbreak the sensing circuits while the columns are being sensed inaccordance with the rotative position of the main drive shaft '74.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, aprinting hammer magnet 170 is connected in series with each series ofmagnets and hence said magnet will only be energized for printingoperations if one of the group of magnets 168 is also energized.

Referring to Figs. 14 through 17, a plurality of type characters 192 aredisposed longitudinally on each of the four surfaces of the type slidethere illustrated as viewed from the position of the printing hammers.Fig. 14 illustrates the type slide in its normal or rest position and itwill be noted that there is a blank space disposed beneath the line AAwhich represents the location of the printing locality as defined by theposition of the printing hammers as described above.

To select a desired character for printing, the type slide is lineallydisplaced to the right, i. e. in the direction of the arrow identifiedby the letter L and/ or rotatively displaced from its normal restposition illustrated in Fig. 14 to bring the character to be printed tothe position initially occupied by the blank space described above. Fig.14 illustrates the type slide in its normal or rest position. Fig. 15illustrates the positioning of the type slides after rotation of 99degrees from the rest position. Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate thepositioning of the type slide after rotations of 180 and 270 degrees,respectively, from the rest position.

The amount of lineal displacement of the type slide required forpresentation of any given type character 19?. is indicated by thereference numeral positioned above the lines of type characters 192illustrated in Figs. 14 through 17. These numerical designationscorrespond to the punching positions in the rows 154 of the record card132 identified by the letter L representing linear displacement.

In a similar manner, the presentation of type occasioned by a rotationof the type slide through 9i) degrees,

which may be described as one unit of rotative displaccment, isillustrated in Fig. 15 and the presentation of type occasioned byrotations of 180 and 270 degrees, which may be designated as two andthree units of retative displacement, respectively, are illustrated inFigs. 16 and 17.

The rotative designations correspond to the punching positions in therows 154 of the record card 132 identi fied by the letter R. Thenecessary displacement for the presentation of any specific typecharacter at the printing locality is obtained by adding the designatedlineal and rotative displacement values for the character as set forthin Table I. For example, the letter C (see Table I) is represented bylineal displacement values of one and four. An examination of the typearrangement on the face of the type slide illustrated in 14 shows thatthe type slide must be displaced five units to the right to present theletter C in the printing locality. Taking another example, a referenceto Table I shows that the presentation of the numeral 7 at the printinglocality requires a rotative displacement of three units and a linealdisplacement of six units. In a similar manner, other characters may beinspected and from Table I the extent and direction of movement of thetype slide necessary to present such characters to the printing localitymay be determined.

The lineal dispiacement mechanism There is provided a separate mechanismfor effecting the lineal displacement of the type slides and this willbe first described. For the purposes of simplicity, the mechanism forlineally displacing the type slide 82 will be described in detail, withthe understanding that a similar mechanism is provided for displacingeach of the remaining type slides 34, 3d and 88.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 and ll (Note: al-

though Fig. 3 illustrates the positioning mechanism for type slide 83,it is identical in construction with that for type slide 82 and will beso used for descriptive purposes) the tape 194 horizontally extends fromthe hook 106 and just passes around a grooved wheel 290 rotatablymounted on a stud 292 on a vertical plate 2AM, thence around a groovedwheel 2ii6 rotatably mounted on a stud 2% supported on an uprightsupporting standard 210 for the plate 204, thence around a grooved wheel212 rotatably mounted on a stud 214 suspended from the underside of abeam Zlfi extending between the side plates 16 and 18, thence around agrooved wheel 218 rotatably mounted on the upper end of a lever 220which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 222 extending between the sideplates 16 and 18, thence around a grooved wheel 224, thence around agrooved wheel 23% rotatably mounted on the upper end of a lever 232pivotally mounted on the shaft 222, thence around a grooved wheel 234rotatably mounted on a stud 236 on the upper side of the beam 216,thence around a grooved wheel 238 rotatably mounted on the upper end ofa lever 240 which is pivotally mounted on the shaft 222, thence around agrooved wheel 244 and thence to the upper end of a lever 246 pivotallymounted on the shaft 222 to which it is secured.

The levers 220, 232, 240 and 246 are all spring biased in a clockwisedirection and may be rocked singly or in combination through the sameangle in a counterclockwise direction. The parts are so proportionedthat if lever 22%} is rocked alone, tape ill-i will be drawn an amountto lineally displace the type slide 32 two units to the right so as topresent the character A at the printing locality. If the lever 232 isrocked alone, the cable 104 will be drawn a sufficient amount so as tolineally displace the type slide four units to the right. In a similarmanner a rocking of the levers 240 and 246 results in a linealdisplacement of the type slide of four units and one unit as illustratedin the drawings. If the levers are rocked in combination the totaldisplacement of the type slide is represented by the sum of theindividual displacements obtained by the rocking of each of the levers.An examination of the displacement values of the levers 220, 232, 246and 246 shows that the various combinations permit a displacement of thetype slide from one through eleven units in accordance with theparticular combinations of the levers to be rocked.

The rotative displncen'zem mechanism There is provided a separatemechanism for effecting the rotative displacement of the type slides.The cable 124 extends from the bar 116 and passes over a grooved wheel26% rotatably mounted on the stud 262 secured to a vertical plate 264,thence around a grooved wheel 266 rotatably mounted on a stud 268secured to a vertical standard 270 for the plate 26 thence around agrooved wheel 272 mounted on a stud 27 i secured to the under side ofthe beam 215, thence around a grooved wheel 276 rotatably mounted on theupper end of a lever arm 278 pivotally mounted on the shaft 222, thencearound a grooved wheel 230, thence around a grooved wheel 282 rotatablymounted on the upper end of a lever arm 284 pivotally mounted on theshaft 222, and thence to the beam 216 to which it is secured.

The levers 278 and 284 are biased in a clockwise direction similar tothat described above for the levers 229, 232, 240 and 246 for the linealdisplacement mechanism and each may be rocked in a counterclockwisedirection to draw the tape 124 a predetermined amount. A rocking of thelever 27% causes the tape 124 to be drawn an amount sufiicient to rotatethe type slide 82 through 90 degrees and a rocking of the lever 284causes a displacement of the type slide 82 through 180 degrees. Rockingboth levers results in a displacement of 270 degrees.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 3. 7, 8 and 9, each of the levers220, 232, 24% and 246 for the lineal displacement mechanism and each ofthe levers 273 and 234 for the rotative displacement mechanism havepivoted thereto at their lower extremities a pair of lnterposer hookssuch as the hooks 292, 294 for the lever 232 and a latching hook, suchas the latching hook 296 for said lever 232.

These hooks are illustrated in various operational positions in Figs. 7,8 and 9 where it is seen that the hooks 292 and 294 are slotted forlimited sliding action on a pin 29% mounted in the end of the lever arm232, while the latching book 2% is not slotted but is mounted on saidpin 2%. Each of the hooks 292, 224 and 2% are spring biased in aclockwise direction.

The above description relates to the positioning and arrangement of thehooks on the lower portion of the lever 232, but it should be clearlyunderstood that each of the levers arms is provided with a similararrangement.

The hooks 292 for all of the lever arms are disposed in line and areindividually positioned beneath the teeth 3th) of a bail 392 which ismounted for angular reciprocation about a shaft 394 extending betweenand supported by the side plates 16 and 18. The bail 382 is reciprocatedthrough a predetermined angular displacement by action of the camfollowers 306 (see Fig. l) engaging drive cams 308 mounted on the maindrive shaft '74. There is an individual tooth 390 for each of theindividual hooks 292 and the parts are proportioned so that as the bail302 reciprocates through its predetermined angular displacement, inresponse to the rotation of the main drive shaft 74, and as a hook 292is rocked about its mounting pin 298, the hook will be engaged by thetooth 3% and advanced thereby. As the hook 292 is advanced, the relatedlever 232, for example, will be forcibly rocked or pivoted about thecommon shaft 222 through a predetermined angle.

The hooks 294 for all of the lever arms also are disposed in line andare individually positioned beneath the teeth 322 of a bail 320 which ismounted for angular reciprocation about the shaft 334 independent of thereciprocation of the bail 302. The bail 322 is reciprocated through apredetermined angular displacement by the action of the cam followers324 (see Fig. l) engaging drive cams 326 mounted on the main drive shaft7 4. The drive cams 326 and 398 have the same configuration but aremounted on the shaft '74 with a 180 degree displacement so that thebails 332 and 320 are alternately reciprocated. The bail 320 is providedwith an individual tooth 322 for each hook 294 and if one of these hooksis rocked about its mounting pin 298, it will be engaged by its relatedtooth 322 on the bail 32th to displace its lever, i. e. 232, in acounterclockwise direction.

The mechanism for rocking the hooks 292 and 294 to place them intooperative relationship with the teeth 300 and 322 on the bails 302 and320, respectively, comprises an arm 33% mounted at the end of anarmature lever arm 334 pivoted at 336. The armature lever arms 334 areresponsive to the selective energization of the magnets 16d and arenormally biased in a counterclockwise direction by springs such as 338.The magnets 160 are selectively energized, as explained above inconnection with the circuit of Fig. 13 in accordance with the punchedcharacter designations on the record card 132.

The sequence of operations is as follows. When a perforated column 150in one of the sensing areas on the record card 132 is beneath thesensing brushes, the magnets 160 are selectively energized in accordancewith the coding of the character, and the corresponding armatures 334will be rocked to tilt the related hooks 292, 294 upwardly into the pathof the teeth 3% and 322 of the bails 302 and 320, respectively. other ofthe bails 302 and 329 (said bails being alternately reciprocated) willmove, engage, and advance the tilted hooks and thus rock the leversconnected thereto. These, through the diiferential pulley wheel andcable connections to the type slide, as explained above, will thereuponselectively lineally and/or rotatably displace the type slide an amountsufficient to present the type character 192 corresponding to thecombination of perforations sensed, at the printing locality. It will benoted, that as a hook 292 is advanced by a tooth 3% in its related bail302, the end of the hook rides up the inclined surface 342 of astationary block 344 which eifectively locks the hook in engagement wtihthe tooth 300 and enables restoration of the armature 334 shortly afterengagement of the hook by the tooth.

When the advancing bail 302 reaches its limiting position and just priorto the initiation of its return movement, the circuit through thecontrol card column will have been broken and the next card column willbe at the sensing brushes. At this point the other bail 320 will beinitiating its advance and circuits will be completed to the magnets 160in accordance With the combinational punching in this next card columnin order to rock a new set of hooks, i. e. 294-, for advance by the bail323, while those previously advanced, i. e. 392, return, under theinfluence of Shortly thereafter one or the p their indivmual biasingsprings, to their rest position as the bail 302 moves backwardly.

Provision is made so that where a particular selected and advanced hookis again selected in response to the advance of the next column on therecord card 132, such hook is not restored to its rest position but ismaintained in its advanced position. For this purpose each of the leversis provided with a latching hook, such as the latching hook 296 mountedon the lever 232 which has an extending arm 346 slidably containedwithin a slot 348 in a block 350 extending between the side plates 16and 18. When the lever 232 is rocked, the latching hook 296 will beadvanced and the extended arm 346 will be moved out wardly of the slot348 to the position illustrated in Fig. 9. If the particular lever isselected to be rocked on the next sensing cycle, the upward movement ofthe armature 334 in response to the energization of magnet 169 will rocksaid latching hook 296 about the pin 298 and cause the hooked end 352mounted at the end of the extended arm 346 to engage the edge of theslot 348 as illustrated in Fig. 8. The latched postion is illustrated inFig. 8 and it is there seen that the lever arm 232 cannot be returned toits normal or rest position by its biasing spring. The lever arm willthus be maintained in latched displaced position during the returnmovement of the previously engaged hook and during the advancingmovement of the alternate hook which is moved relative to the pin 298.

The latching of the displaced hook results in the particular type slidebeing maintained in a displaced position and thus is not returned to itsrest position intermediate successive identical sensing operations. Thelatching hook will maintain the lever in displaced position until theadvancing bail engages its hook and reaches the limit of its forwardmovement. The limit of the forward movement is sized so that the hookedend 352 of the latching hook 296 is moved slightly out of engagementwith the edge of the slot 343. When the hooked end 352 is moved slightlyout of engagement with the edge of the slot 348, the biasing spring 356rotates the latching hook 296 clockwise to the unlatched position asillustrated in Fig. 9.

The net effect of this latching action is to obviate the return of thetype slide to its rest position intermediate successive printingoperations and, where the same character is sensed in successivecolumns, the type slide will be positioned upon the first sensing of thecharacter and then latched in said position for repeated printing.

By providing alternately reciprocating bails 302 and 322 a highoperational speed is effected since while one bail is effecting aselection the other is being restored and by providing the furtherlatching mechanism, restoration of the levers required for the nextselection is obviated and the extent of movement of the type slide isonly that required to move directly from one character to the nextwithout an intervening return of the type slide to the rest position.Due to the high speed so obtainable, the record cards may be sensed inmotion and the printing operation may be effected on a continuouslymoving paper and ink ribbon.

In the above portions of this specification the mounting of the typeslides and the means for selectively and positively displacing said typeslides for effecting the presentation of type at the printing localityin accordance with sensed character designations has been described indetail.

The impression transfer or actual printing operation is effected on thecontinually moving paper strip and ink ribbon 3% (Fig. l) by impellingsaid strip against the type characters presented at the printinglocality by a rocking of the printing hammers 25 22, 24 and 26.

The printing hammers 20, 22, 24 and 26 are rotatably mounted on the armsof cranks 369, 362, 364 and 366. respectively. The cranks are pivotallymounted on a common vertically disposed shaft 363 supported at itsextremities by arms of a U-shaped mounting bracket 370. The other armsof the cranks are adjacent the surface of a vertically disposed hammeractuating cam 374 mounting on a shaft 376 which is supported by themounting brackets 78 and 380 extending outwardly from the front plate12.

The hammer actuating cam 374 is continuously rotated through the actionof bevel gear 382 mounted on the end of the shaft 376 rneshirn with abevel gear 384 mounted on a horizontally disposed auxiliary drive shaft386. The horizontally disposed auxiliary drive shaft 336 is continuouslyrotated by the auxiliary drive shaft 62 (see Fig. 1) through the bevelgears 388 and 3%. The auxiliary shaft 62, as described above in theearlier portions of this specification, is continuously driven by themain drive shaft 74 through the bevel gears 7t! and 72. The printinghammers 20, 22, 24- and 26 are adapted to be rocked about the shaft 36%by the action of the hammer actuating cam 3'3'4. The printing hammersare spring biased by, for example, the springs 372, in acounterclockwise direction and are individually latched out ofengagement with the actuating cam 37 by interposer armatures, such asthe interposer armature 32 for the printing hammer 2t) (see Fig. 4). Thearmature 394 is pivotally mounted and is displaceable in response to theenergization of the hammer magnet 17% associate-u with the type slide 82(see Fig. 13) mounted in a U-shaped mounting bracket 393.

When the printing hammer is latched as illustrated in Fig. 4, the armthereof is maintained in position clearing the surface of the hammeractuating cam 3'74. Actuation of the hammer magnet .179 results in thepiovtal displacement of the latching armature 394 which causes the armof the crank 36%, under influence of the biasing spring 372, to engagethe surface of the hammer actuating cam 374 so that the hammer may bedriven into printing relationship as the arm rises past the high lobe409 of said actuating cam 374. The contour of the cam 374 and thepositioning of the crank 361 is such that the cam 374 does not drive thehammer 2*) fully into the striking position but relies on the overdrivebeyond the high lobe 4th) of the cam to obtain a hammer-like action forproducing an impression of the type presented at the printing localityon the continuously moving paper strip and ink ribbon 3d.

The above portion of the disclosure relates to the actuating mechanismfor the printing hammer 2i and it should be understood that a similarmechanism with individual hammer magnets 1'70 is provided for each ofthe remaining printing hammers 22, 24 and 26 associated with the typeslides 84, as and 8d, respectively.

Associated with the printing hammer mechanism described above is apositioning mechanism for the type slides which serves to accuratelyposition the type characters presented at the printing locality. Thepositioning mechanism includes a crank 401 having an extendedpositioning arm 4 32 adapted to engage the indentations 98 on thepositioning plate 99 associated with each of the type slides (secFigs.l, 4 and 6). The crank 401 is rocked by a cam having dual dwells419 and 412 mounted on the horizontally disposed auxiliary drive shaft386. The positioning arm 462 is rocked into engagement with theindentations 28 on the positioning plate 99 by the action of the biasingspring 4% when said movement is permitted by the dwells 410 and 4-12.The arm 402 serves to accurately align the type characters presented atthe printing locality on each of the four type slides 82, 84, 86 and 38immediately prior to the actuation of the printing hammers 2d, 22, 2dand 26.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates a gang printing mechanism constructedin accordance with the principles of the invention. This type of printerfinds utility in printing bills and other commercial forms whereinmultiple sections receiving the same information may be simultaneouslyprinted.

in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 12 four separate printing sections42%, 422, 424 and 426 are provided for the purposes of example, howeverany number of sections could be utilized. Each printing section isprovided with four type slides, identified by the printing sectionnumeral and the letters a, b, c and d, respectively. The type slides429a, 422a, 424a and 426a are slidably mounted on a common shaft 423 andare lineally displaceable as a unit by the action of a single pull tape436 through the connecting links 432, 43 i and 436. The linealdisplacing mechanism associated with the pull tape 4 3 3 is similar tothat described above in the earlier portions of this specification. Asthe type slides 42%, 422a, 424a and 426a are mounted on a common shaft428, they may be rotatably displaced as a unit in conjunction by theaction of a single rotatable displacing mechanism associated with thesingle pull tape 438 of the type described in the earlier portions ofthe specification. Through the above construction the same typecharacter presentation will be effected on each of the four type slides.The remaining type slides identifiable by similar letter designationsare similarly arranged. Each of the type slides in each of the printingsections 42%, 422, 424 and 426 is provided with an individual printinghammer identifiable by the numerical designation of the printingsection, and the letters 2, j, g and h, respectively.

Figs. l8 and 19 illustrate, for the purposes of example, two types ofbills that might be printed on the gang printing mechanism illustratedin Fig. 12.

The bill 450 illustrated in Fig. 18 is provided with four sections 42422z, 4241, and 425;; corresponding to the printing sections 429, 422,424 and 426 of the gang printing mechanism. In the section 4262 fourlines of printing are illustrated. Line l is used for a name, line 2 isused for a street address, line 3 is used for the city and statedesignation, and line 4 is utilized for a code number. In section 424/:the first and third lines only are utilized. in section 422z the firstthree lines are utilized, and in section 4201 the first and fourth linesare utilized. The bill 452 illustrated in Fig. 19 is also provided withfour sections having either no printing, full line printing or partialline printing for each of the lines in each of the sections. Forexample, the first section (taken from left to right) has full lineprinting for the first line, the second and third lines are blank, andpartial line printing on the fourth line.

The selective printing as illustrated in Figs. 18 and 19 is eiiected bythe selective energization of the printing hammer magnets for each ofthe printing hammers associated with each of the type slides in each ofthe printing sections of the gang printing mechanism illustrated in Fig.l2.

The circuits for the selective energization of the printing hammers areillustrated in Fig. 20 and reference will now be had thereto. The recordcard. 454, therein illus trated as advancing past dual rows of sensingbrushes 470 and 472 and their adjacent Contact rollers 474 and 4-67, issubdivided into four sensing areas designated $56, 458, 461i and 4%2,one sensing area being provided for each line of printing. Each of thesesensing areas is provided with columns 46-4 in which perforations 46:?are combinationally made in six rows designated 463 to represent theparticular characters to be presented at the printing localities by thetype slides associated with each line of print.

The arrangement of combinational perforations within each of the sensingareas is similar to that described above in the earlier portions of thisspecification in conjunction with the record card 3.32 of Fig. l3 andwill not be described again at this point.

Each of the brushes the row of brushes 4 7i positioned for sensing thesensing area 456 is connected to one of a group of type slidepositioning magnets 478 (similar to the group of magnets 16-9 of Fig.13) which are designated with the letters R and L and suitable numbersto identify the respective magnets with the rows with which each isassociated. Although only the circuits associated with the sensing area456 are illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that similargroups of type slide positioning magnets are provided for the rows ofbrushes sensing the areas 458, and 462.

The sensing circuit extends from one side of the power line 430 throughthe cam controlled contacts 482 (operated by cams conveniently mountedon the main drive shaft 74 to synchronize the sensing activity with therotation of the drive shaft), the relay contact points 484 and 486 (froma switching mechanism such as that illustrated in Fig. 13.1), thecontact rolls 474, 476, the perforations in the record card 454, thebrushes 4'70 and 472, the magnets 47% in accordance with theperforational arrangement of the perforations 466, through the printinghammer control magnets 490, 492, 494 and 4% and back to the other sideof the power line 498. The printing hammer control magnets 490, 492, 44and 496 control the printing hammers 422e, 424e, 426e, and 428e for theupper line of type slides in the printing sections 420, 422, 424 and426, respectively, of Fig. 12

Included in series with each of the printing hammer control magnets area set of relay actuated switch points, such as the relay contact points500, 502, 504 and 506. As these relay contact points are selectivelyclosed, the respective printing hammer control magnets will beselectively energized to effect the impression transfers of the typecharacters presented at the printing localities for the first line ofprint in the printing sections 420, 422, 424 and 426.

To effect the selective opening and closing of the relay operable switchpoints 500, 502, 594 and 506 each of the sensing areas on the recordcard 454 is provided with an auxiliary printing hammer magnet controlarea, such as the areas 456a, 458a, 460a and 462a. Each of the printinghammer magnet control areas is provided with four rows 508, one row foreach of the printing magnets, in which perforations may be made torepresent the desired columnar actuation of the respective printinghammer control magnets.

Each of the brushes in the row of brushes 470 positioned for sensing theprinting hammer magnet control area 456a is connected directly to thepower line 498 in series with a relay energizing coil such as the relayenergizing coils 500a, 562a, 504a and 586a. The selective energizationof these relay energizing coils, in response to the perforations in theprinting hammer magnet control area 456a, results in the selectiveclosing of the relay contact points associated therewith (for example,the

energization of coil 50001 results in a closing of contact point 500)and the selective energization of the respective printing hammer controlmagnets.

It will be understood that, although Fig. 20 only illustrates thecircuits associated with the sensing area 456 and the printing hammermagnet control area 456a, similar circuits are provided for each of theother sensing areas and their respective printing hammer magnet controlareas.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings a manually operableswitch, such as the switches 500b, 502b, 50% and 506b, is shunted acrosseach of the relay contact points 500, 502, 504 and 566. This provides anadditional switching arrangement whereby, if and when desired, similarprinting presentations may be effected in each printing section of thegang printing apparatus.

Through the above described control system, full line printing, partialline printing, or no printing at all may be effected in each of thelines in each of the printing sections of the gang printing apparatus.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the invention as applied to a four-line,column-by-column printing mechanism, it will be understood that variousomissions and substitutions and changes in form and details of thedevice illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled inthe art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of lineally and rotatablydisplaceable type slides positioned for multiline printing operations,each of said type slides having a plurality of type positioned on eachof the sides thereof, means for sensing a record for characterdesignations affecting each of said type slides, a cyclically operabledrive, a pair of bails, means actuated by said drive for alternatelyoscillating said pair of bails through predetermined limits, firstdisplaceable means selectively engageable with said bails in response tothe sensed character designations, means connecting said firstdisplaceable means with said type slides for positively rotatablydisplacing said type slides in response to and in accordance with theselective displacement of said first displaceable means, seconddisplaceable means selectively engageable with said bails in response tothe sensed character designations, means connecting said seconddisplaceable means with said type slides for positively lineallydisplacing said type slides in response to and in accordance with theselective displacement of said second displaceable means, whereby amulti-line columnar prsentation of type representing the sensedcharacter designations is effected at a printing locality.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 including means for latchingsaid first and second displaceable means in displaced positionintermediate successive sensing operations to avoid the necessity ofreturning to a rest position after every sensing operation.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 including a printing hammerassociated with each of said type slides and responsive to said sensingmeans for etfectmg an impression transfer of the type presented at theprinting locality.

4. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of lineally and rotatablydisplaceable four-sided type slides positioned for multi-line printingoperations, each of said type slides having a plurality of typepositioned on each of the sides thereof, means for simultaneouslysensing a record for character designations aifecting each of said typeslides, a cyclically operable drive, a pair of bails, means actvated bysaid drive for alternately oscillating said pair of bails throughpredetermined limits, a plurality of pivotally mounted lever armsassociated with each of said type slides, said lever arms beingselectively engageable with said bails in response to the sensedcharacter designations and displaceable thereby, and means connectingsaid lever arms with said type slides for positively displacing saidtype slides in response to and in accordance with the selectivedisplacement of said lever arms, whereby a multi-line columnarpresentation of type representing the sensed character designations iseffected at a printing locality.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 4 including a printing hammerassociated with each of said type slides and responsive to said sensingmeans for eifecting an impression transfer of the type presented at theprinting locality.

6. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of lineally and rotatablydisplaceable four-sided type slides positioned for multi-line printingoperations, each of said type slides having a plurality of typepositioned on each of the sides thereof, means for simultaneouslysensing a record for character designations affecting each of said typeslides, a cyclically operable drive, a bail, means actuated by saiddrive for oscillating said bail through predetermined limits,displaceable means selectively engageable with said bail in response tothe sensed character designations, means connecting said displaceablemeans with said type slides for positively lineally displacing saidslides in response to and in accordance with the selective displacementof said displaceable means, a plurality of pivotally mounted lever armsassociated with each of said type slides, said lever arms beingselectively engageable with said bail in response to the sensedcharacter designations and adapted for pivotal displacement thereby, andmeans connecting said lever arms with said type slides for positivelyrotatably displacing said type slides in response to and in accordancewith the selective displacement of said lever arms, whereby a multilinecolumnar presentation of type representing the sensed characterdesignations is effected at a printing locality.

7. In a machine of the class described, means for sensing a record fordesignations representing a plurality of multi-character items and forselection control designations, said sensing means being arranged tosense the item designations concurrently, character by character, aprinting mechanism including a plurality of printing sections eachincluding a type carrier for each item, said type carriers beingcontrolled concurrently by said sensing means for positioning thecarriers in accordance with the concurrently sensed characters of therelated items, a set of like printing elements on each carrier in eachprinting section, means for concurrently taking an impression from eachcarrier in each printing section, and means controlled by said sensingmeans in response to the sensing of said selection control designationsfor rendering said impression taking means selectively effective forprinting selectively from any carrier in any of said printing sections.

8. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of printingsections, a plurality of type slides having type thereon positioned formulti-line column-by-colum-n printing in each of said printing sectionsand disposed in alignment With the type slides in the remaining printingsections, means for concurrently sensing a record for a plurality ofcharacter designations each representative of a character to be printedin a single column by each of said type slides, and means responsive tothe sensed character designations for selectively displacing each or"said type slides in each of said printing sections to eitect amulti-line columnar presentation of type representative or". the sensedcharacter designations at a related printing locality associated witheach of said printing sections.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8, including means responsiveto the sensed record for effecting selective printing from any typepresented at any printing locality.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 8, including means for sensingsaid record for selective printing designations, and means responsive tosaid last mentioned means for efiecting selective printing fromany typepresented at any of the printing localities.

11. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of printingsections, a plurality of lineally and rotatably displaceable type slidespositioned for multiple printing operations in each of said printingsections and disposed in alignment with the type slides in the remainingprinting sections, means for sensing a record for designationsrepresenting a plurality of multi-character items and for selectioncontrol designations relating to each of said items, said sensing meansbeing arranged to sense the item designations concurrently, character bycharacter, simultaneously with the sensing of the selection controldesignations related to each item, means responsive to the concurrentlysensed characters of the related items for selectively and positivelydisplacing the type slides in each of said printing sections to effectthe presentation of type representing the sensed designations at relatedprinting localities Within each of said printing sections, means fortaking concurrent impressions from each type slide, and means controlledby the sensing means in response to the sensing of said selectioncontrol designations for rendering said impression taking selectivelyeffective for printing selectively from any of said type slides in anyof said printing sections.

12. A printing apparatus for effecting concurrent multilinecolumn-by-colurnn printing operations, comprising a platen memberdefining a printing locality, a plurality of displaceable printingmembers having type thereon positioned for concurrent multi-lineprinting, means associated with each of said displaceable printingmembers for displacing the same to present a selected type at theleiprinting locality, means for concurrently reading a pinrality ofcharacter designations each representative of a character to be printedin a single column in each of the lines of print, and. means responsiveto the reading means for concurrently actuating said printing memberdisplacing means to effect presentation the type on each of the printingmembers representative of the read character designations at theprinting locality, whereby multi-line coltunn-by-column typepresentation is effected at said printing locality.

13. A printing apparatus in accordance With claim l2 wherein saidprinting members are type slides with the type thereon being so thateach type character has its vertical axis disposed transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the type slide.

l4. A printing apparatus in accordance with claim l2 including meansresponsive to the successive reading of identical character designationsfor latching said printing members in displaced position, whereby areturn of the prn ng members to a rest position is avoided.

15. in a printing apparatus, a printing locality, a plurality ofdisplaceable printing members having type thereon positioned formultiple printing operations adjacent said pri ting locality, means forconcurrently sensing a record for a. plurality of character designationseach representative of the intelligence to be printed by one of saidprinting members, combinational means selectively and positivelydispiaceable in predetermined amounts in response to the sensedcharacter designations, and means connecting said combinational meansand each of said printing members for positively displacing saidprinting members by an amount equal to the total of the displacements ofsaid selectively displaced combinational means to present typerepresentative of the sensed character designations at the printinglocality.

16. in the printing apparatus as set forth in claim 15, a printinghammer associated with each of said printing members and positioned atthe printing locality, and means cont olled by the sensed characterdesignations for effecting relative movement ,etiveen said printinghammers and the displaced printing members "for obtaining an impressionfrom the type on said members presented at the printing locality.

17. In the printing apparatus as set forth in claim 15, means responsiveto the successive sensing of identical character designations 'folatching the printing members in displaced position to maintain the typerepresentative of the sensed character designations at the printinglocality.

18. in a printing apparatus, a plurality of displaceable type slideshaving type thereon, a cyclically operable drive, a bail, means actuatedby said drive for oscillating said bail through predetermined limits,means for concurrently sensing a record for a plurality of characterdesignations each representative of the intelligence to be printed byone of said type slides, means selectively engageable with said bail andarranged to be positively displaced in predetermined amounts thereby,means responsive to the sensed character designations for selectivelyengaging said displaceable means and said bail, and means connectingsaid displaceable means and said type slides for positively displacingsaid type slides by an amount equal to the total displacement of saidselectively displaced displaceable means to present type representativeof the sensed character designations at a printing locality.

19. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of displaceable type slideshaving type thereon, sequential means for concurrently sensing a recordfor a plurality of discrete character designations each representativeof the intelligence to be printed by each of said type slides,cyclically operated and alternately actuated driving means, meansselectively engageable with said alternately actuated cyclic drivingmeans and arranged to be positively displaced predetermined amountsthereby, means responsive to the sensed discrete character designationsfor selectively engaging said displaceable means with said actuateddriving means, and means connecting said displaceable means and saidtype slides for positively displacing said type slides by an amountequal to the total displacement of said selectively displaceddisplaceable means to present a type representative of the sensedcharacter designations at a printing locality.

20. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of displaceable type slideshaving type thereon, sequential mean-a for concurrently sensing a recordfor a plurality of discrete character designations each representativeof the intelligence to be printed by each of said type slides,cyclically operated and alternately actuated driving means, meansselectively engageable with the actuated member of said alternatelyactuated driving means and arranged to be positively displacedpredetermined amounts thereby, means responsive to a set of the senseddiscrete character designations for selectively engaging saiddisplaceable means with said actuated driving means prior to thedisengagement of the displaceable means from the driving means resultingfrom the immediately preceding set of sensed discrete characterdesignations, and means connecting said displaceable means and said typeslides for positively displacing said type slides by an amount equal tothe total displacement of said selectively displaced displaceable meansto present type representative of the sensed character designations at aprinting locality.

21. The invention as set forth in claim 20 including means for latchingsaid displaceable means in displaced position in response to successivesensing of identical character designations in order to avoid thenecessity of returning the type slides to a rest position.

22. The invention as set forth in claim 20 wherein said cyclicallyoperated drive includes a pair of bails and actuating means foralternately oscillating said pair of bails through predetermined limits.

23. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of displaceable type slideshaving type thereon positioned for mulii line column-by-column printingoperations, means for concurrently sensing a record for a plurality ofcharacter designations each representative of a character to be printedin a single column in each of the lines of print, a cyclically operabledrive, a pair of bails, means actuated by said drive for alternatelyoscillating said pair of bails through predetermined limits,displaceable means selectively engageable With said bails in response tothe sensed character designations, and means connecting saiddisplaceable means with said type slides is: positively displacing saidslides in response to and in accordance with the selective displacementof said displaceable means to present type representative of the sensedcharacter designations at a printing locality.

24. In a printing apparatus, a plurality of lineally and rotatablydisplaceable four-sided type slides positioned for multi-line printingoperations, each of said type slides having a plurality of typepositioned on each of the sides thereof, each individual character oftype being oriented with its vertical axis transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the type slide, means for simultaneously sensing arecord for columnar character designations affecting each of said typeslides, a cyclically operable drive, a pair of bails, means actuated bysaid drive for alternately oscillating said pair of bails throughpredetermined lirnits, displaceable means selectively engageable Withsaid bails in response to the sensed character designations, meansconnecting said displaceable means with said type slides for positivelydisplacing said slides in response to and in accordance with theselective displacement of said displaceable means, whereby a multi-linecolumnar presentation of type representing the sensed characterdesignations is effected at a printing locality, and means for latchingsaid displaceable means in displaced position intermediate successivesensing operations in order to avoid the necessity of returning to arest position after every sensing operation.

25. The invention as set forth in claim 20 including a printing hammerassociated with each of said type slides at the printing locality, meansfor continuously advancing web material intermediate said type slidesand said printing hammers at a rate in accordance with the rate ofoperation of said cyclically operating driving means, and meansresponsive to the sensed character designations for selectivelyactuating said printing hammers including means for producing anoverdriven contact With said web material over the type representativeof the sensed character to effect multi-line columnar printing on saidcontinuously moving web.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS406,437 Felt July 9, 1889 497,177 Heine et al. May 9, 1893 752,795 MoyaFeb. 23, 1904 1,333,890 Wright Mar. 16, 1920 1,542,223 Dolph June 16,1925 1,608,145 Tingley Nov. 23, 1926 1,685,685 Smith Sept. 25, 19281,896,538 Bryce Feb. 7, 1933 1,968,386 Gubelman July 31, 1934 1,971,859Knutsen Aug. 28, 1934 1,997,167 Bryce Apr. 9, 1935 2,089,447 SundstrandAug. 10, 1937 2,464,561 Dickinson Mar. 15, 1949

